Linux PC builder System76 plans to launch a tiny desktop PC with an Intel Broadwell processor and Ubuntu Linux software.

Update: The System76 Meerkat is now available for $499 and up.

system76 meerkat

The little computer is based on Intel’s NUC mini-desktop design and measures about 4 inches by 4 inches square.

System76 says the Meerkat will support up to 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage. It has an M.2 slot for solid state storage and a 2.5 inch drive bay for a hard drive or SSD.

The company plans to offer two different CPU options: an Intel Core i3-5010U (with Intel HD 550 graphics) or a Core i5-5250U processor (with Intel HD 6000).

Other features include HDMI and DisplayPort for connecting up to two displays, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB ports, and a headset jack.

Final pricing hasn’t been determined yet, but the company says the System76 Meerkat will probably sell for about $500 and up when it launches later this month.

via BetaNews and +System76

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11 replies on “System76 Meerkat is a tiny, Linux PC with a Broadwell CPU”

  1. From their website, it looks like they aren’t offering an OS with that, which seems strange.

  2. System76 marks things up between 150% to 300%. Anyone who understands Linux knows not to buy anything from these con-artists. Everything they sell is rebranded Clevo or Intel NUCs.

    1. I have a System76 laptop that I’m happy with. I run Ubuntu on it. “Understands Linux” is kind of a broad category (understands which parts of Linux?).

      1. obviously he means simply compiling the free iSCSI initiator and iSCSI-enabled target FLOSS code compiled to all linux android derivatives, so you can finally set up a generic iSCSI android hard drive, “bonded” wireless and Ethernet ( and simple USB to “Ethernet over USB” configs ? https://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ethernet_over_USB ) at the same time to save many,many pico seconds transferring and live multicast streaming your files etc over the network 🙂

        https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=search&q=System76 seem to like testing them !

      2. I think he means that anyone who understands how to install their own operating system should understand that simply buying a NUC of their own is the best thing to do.

    2. Basically all retailers mark things up starting at 100%, which is probably closer the truth on S76. And while I agree that their stuff isn’t expensive, they can’t have anywhere near the volume of a Dell or HP to bring their costs down. The NUC from Intel is bare bones. No RAM, HDD, OS, Wifi, nothing. It’s a box with CPU, MB, and PSU. That’s it. And yes, it takes time, effort, and therefore $ to make sure the OS works smoothly on all those hardware parts, eventhough the software itself costs $0. I’ve been pricing out self build NUC i5 systems and dang if I can get all the pieces of a box with decent grunt for less than $700 (sans OS.) Now add the time spent shopping, making sure each part works perfectly with Ubuntu, getting and installing everything, a day on the OS. What’s your time worth? Mine is worth more than zero.

      I mean, I have never bought an S76 system. But I’m a cheapskate. They are no more than Apple. I hope S76 is making good money. Why shouldn’t they? Linux and FLOSS doesn’t quite mean “other people should build me stuff for subsistence wages.”

    3. They weren’t selling anything Intel NUC sized until this. All the manufacturers get their hardware from China these days.

  3. I like System76, but doesn’t that seem a little steep? The i3-5010u NUC from Intel is selling for less than $300 (not including SSD or RAM, admittedly, so maybe that $500 is for a configuration with decent helpings of both).

  4. i3-5010u and i5-5250u only have PCIe 2.0 lanes. I am waiting for PCIe 3.0 and NVMe controllers.

    1. derp. where are you going to plug in your PCIe card in a 4x4x2 box. move along to another thread to crap on.

      1. m.2 port uses pcie, genius. You thought I was talking about graphics? NVMe stands for NonVolatile Memory Express (a modification of the pcie standard for low-latency storage).

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